16/02/2007

Hello all once again!

Wow, its been ages since ive written, I have been insanely busy!! So I apologize to you all. After Katie left everyday I thought to myself, ok I need to write an email! And every day it was like... ill do it tomorrow. So more days passed, and more things to write about happened and I totally lost any motivation to write this huge novel.... but finally after 2 days of lying on the couch (not lazy, just sick) I finally got the energy to get up and do something! So here you go! Sorry, this ones probably gonna be long!

So I think my last email was just before the new blood arrived? Well we have 3 new teachers and they're all just lovely and have fitted in really well. The new girl who has come to live with me and Al is awesome. Her name is Sarah and all we knew was that she was from the UK. Well turns out she's from Scotland! So she's got a funny funny accent and pretty much never stops talking! So now there's an English, a Scot and an Australian living together, and we get on really well. The interesting thing is, is that even though we are all native English speakers, our English is so completely different! Quite often Sarah will say something in her thick accent... and I will have no idea what she said... Al has to interpret. Then I will say something and Sarah will have no idea what I said... so Al has to interpret again. Its so crazy! But we have some fun times.

We also have a new American among us (Cassie) and another Australian (YAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!) His name is Chris and he's from Melbourne. Due to living with the British, ive actually started talking in pounds.... I know its terrible.... but I had to pick Chris up from the train station when he first got here, and I was like, yes! Someone who understands Australian money!

So everyone's quite happy and settled in here, everything is good. We've had some small welcome parties and get togethers and were not so busy at work!

So... come Katie's arrival! Bare with me, as I try to remember what we did! My best friend Katie came to visit me, her third trip to Japan, she arrived in Matsuyama on Tuesday January 23rd. There is a massive Ferris wheel on top of a big department store called Takashimaya where you get a view of all of Matsuyama, so first day we took a ride on that! It was very cool! That was the first time I actually saw the size of Matsuyama, its really big! And its right on the coast, I had no idea how close the beach actually was.

*Id just like to take this opportunity to say that im currently watching Knight Rider on our cable channel, and its got to be the worst TV show I have ever seen.

So on Wednesday we had a lovely lunch with my Japanese teacher and then we got down to some serious business - SHOPPING. We went to all my favourite stores and hangouts and spent lots of money, then of course found ourselves at the karaoke bar for 4 whole hours! A stop at the purikura arcade and an introduction to my latest craze DDR (more about that later), and we retired home for the evening.

On Thursday, we went with Sarah on a trip to Matsuyama Castle. It was my first time to see my city's castle built in the Edo period, and I think its actually one of the most beautiful castles I have ever seen! (Not to be bias or anything... ) It has been restored and renovated a few times, particularly after it was destroyed first in the war, then by fire from a lightening storm in the 70s. We were a bit surprised at first, there is a ropeway that goes up to the top (as the castle is on a hill) and most ropeways are box cars, but this ropeway was individual chairs, with no seatbelts (!!) that you sit in and it takes you to the top. Kinda scary, but then kinda cool. After, we walked down the hill and took a street car to visit Dogo Onsen, which is the oldest onsen in all of Japan and therefore one of the most famous and Matsuyama's only tourist attraction. (An onsen is a natural hot spring which Japanese people bathe in). We also took a walk around Dogo park as the sun was setting which was really quite nice. We caught a street car back to the city and visited Kinokuniya, an excellent bookstore, to buy road maps for our trip then headed home to get a good nights sleep.

ROAD TRIP!! (6 days visiting the 4 prefectures of Shikoku island, all major cities and 2 national parks)

DAY 1
We arose early and caught a quick street car over to the car rental place where we hired a tiny little compact car (a Mazda Carol) which we named Egbert. On the road and our first stop was Uwajima.
Uwajima is a tiny little coastal town in Ehime prefecture which has claim to one major tourist attraction: It is the home of Japans second biggest sex museum (the largest being in Tokyo). This museum was recommended by a number of my students and was ... er... interesting to say the least. It took us about 40 minutes to find it as it was tucked away in back streets with no English sign posts. Luckily we had GPS in our car, or we would have had no hope. So... it was 3 floors filled from floor to roof (there was not one spare inch in this place) of pictures, statues, ornaments and paintings about.... well sex. Kinda strange sitting here in this tiny little town, but I recommend it! Photography inside was banned, but there was an interesting sculpture outside which was definitely worth sending you, check it out! We bought some "interesting" key rings before getting some lunch (KFC.. only thing we could find!!) then heading back on the road. We were going to drive down the coast through Ashizuri National Park in Kochi prefecture which is supposed to be a beautiful stretch of coastline but it was starting to get late and it would be dark soon. So we headed straight to Kochi city and got there after nightfall, but the good thing about Japan is most shops are open till 9! So we stopped off at Aeon shopping complex, like Marion but smaller, and shopped while we waited for Erin to finish work. Spent lots more money.... Erin put us up for 2 nights, so we chilled out at her place and watched some movies.

DAY 2
In Kochi I wanted to see the Ryugado caves and the Anpanman Museum. We didn't know where the museum was so we settled for the caves. We drove about 20 minutes out of town and on the way we saw all these signs for the museum, we thought... oh ok. We got to the Ryugado caves and spent about an hour walking and crawling through the caves which were just amazing! Full of stalactites and stalagmites (if I spelt those right...) ponds, waterfalls, really peaceful, and completely dark except for the lights set up for you. A stop in the souvenir shop then we found some maps and realised that the Anpanman Museum was only about another 10k up the same road! So off we went of course! Did I mention about Anpanman? So he's my favourite Japanese cartoon character. He's a superhero who's head is made of bread, and he saves people by letting them eat his head. Now that's cool! An means sweet beans, pan means bread. He also has superhero friends currypanman and melonpanna (a girl).
So the museum was cool, but much smaller than I thought, it was only 2 floors, the first floor was filled with art of the cartoon, and the bottom floor had a viewing room where you could watch the TV show, a scale model of anpanmans house you could walk through and a gift shop (where I spent lots of money!!!). There was even 2 people walking around dressed as anpanman and melonpanna, so of course we had photos!

We then headed back into town to the mall to do some more shopping before meeting Erin after work and going out to dinner with one of her friends. A very nice evening! Apart from the cigarette smoke...

DAY 3
We woke early and bade goodbye to Erin, before heading back on the road and setting off for Tokushima Prefecture. We journeyed into Iya Valley National Park, the home of Oboke Gorge and spectacular mountainous scenery. Our first stop was Kazurabashi, a bridge I had previously visited with Erin which is completely made of vines and crosses over Oboke river. On my last visit, just after the rainy season, the river was full, fast and flowing and the surrounding trees were green and leafy. This time however, in winter, the driest season of the year. The river was low and the trees were leafless, so it was not as gorgeous, but still held its own. This time we actually crossed the bridge, which was really quite nerve racking. Small logs that were spaced a bit apart so you can see the rocks and water underneath, and it shook and creaked when you stepped on it. I never took my hands from the rail!

Then we wanted to do some hiking around the area but we didn't know where any hiking trails were, so we thought wed go to the hostel and ask. We turned off on the road and found ourselves on this tiny tiny little road that fit only one car. We prayed there would be no car coming the other way as we took one wrong turn before finding our small hostel, Ku-Nel-Asob, right at the bottom of this tiny winding road. However, the drive was worth it, the views from this hostel of Oboke Gorge were just spectacular! The owner spoke really good English and was really sweet and told us there wasn't much hiking, but we could take a boat ride in the gorge and gave us vouchers for a local onsen. So we set out, up the windy road again encountering only one car right towards the end, which Katie dealt with superbly! (Im so glad she was driving!) and we made our way to the boats. Now in the middle of the mountains, in the middle of winter, it was pretty bloody freezing,... but.... the boats had kotatsu's! A Kotatsu, is the best thing ever! Its a small table (like coffee table size) with an inbuilt heater underneath and a thick blanket over the top, enclosing the heat in. So you sit at the table, with your legs underneath and it keeps you so toasty warm! So we sat under these kotatsus while we took a boat ride around the gorge, it was lovely!

Then we decided we would take advantage of the vouchers our hostel owner gave us and discover what Japan is really famous for, so we went to the onsen. It was the first time I have ever been in an onsen, in my whole time here, and I loved it!! Because the water is so pure, a natural onsen is the absolute best cleansing experience you can ever give your body, 2 minutes in that water and your skin is as smooth as silk! Your hair gets completely nourished and your muscles relax and loosen (*note, too long in an onsen, makes ones muscles completely fall asleep, very painful, don't try it...)

After dinner at the onsen, we drove back down the tiny road in the dark (no cars fortunately) to our hostel where we were met with a very nice surprise! There were 3 handsome men also staying at this hostel! 1 American and 2 Norwegians. They were all backpacking and were really nice! The hostel was pretty tiny, no showers, a toilet outside, it had a common room, a boys room and a girls room, and a pretty big kitchen. So we all stayed up in the common room sitting under more kotatsus playing cards and talking, it was awesome! Sleep wasn't as fun... while the common room had heating, the bedrooms didn't, they were absolutely freezing. Under the blankets was fine, but my head turned to ice, not pleasant.

DAY 4
We all ate breakfast together in the common room, then we offered the Norwegians a lift in our car to the train station on our way out. So our tiny compact packed with 4 adults, their backpacks plus all our stuff... it was squashy. The car groaned as we struggled up the hill to get back to the main road. But we made it, said goodbye and headed back on the road to Tokushima City. So Tokushima City was the only city on Shikoku I hadn't been too, which was pretty much the only reason we went there. Everyone I asked said there is nothing much to see there, except for the whirlpools in Naruto. It was a bit of a drive, getting to Tokushima just after lunch, we had lunch then headed out to Naruto city. Naruto City is right on the North-Eastern coast and is the point of bridge connection to the mainland Honshu and has water flowing in from so many different directions that it creates these mysterious spinning whirlpools right in the middle of the bay. So we parked, jumped on a boat and headed out to take a look. You have to be there at specific times for the whirlpools to be really good, which we weren't, it was mostly a lot of choppy water, but we saw a few mini ones and a pretty good one at the end. (Katie got a nice photo).
Then we journeyed to Tokushima Youth Hostel which turned out to be right by the beach in a beautiful location, I would love to go back there to do some hiking around the hills there. Our room was nice, excellent view, another kotatsu, there were communal showers and toilets, but turns out, we were the only guests!

DAY 5
Up we got, early and ready for a big day. We left Tokushima and headed over the border in Kagawa Prefecture, the smallest prefecture on Shikoku famous for Udon noodles! We drove into Takamatsu city and made for the Ritsurin Koen, an absolutely beautiful park situated in the city. We took 3 hours walking around these beautiful gardens which I believe are the most beautiful Japanese gardens I have ever seen! We stopped in a small restaurant inside the park and had a bowlful of the famous udon noodles. They were quite good! Having not found any cheap accommodation in Takamatsu I had previously decided to go straight to the next place, so we jumped on the expressway and 40 minutes later we were back in Ehime Prefecture (my home!) and driving through Ishizuchi Yama National Park. These mountains were huge and a couple were snow capped, they were beautiful to look at, driving through as the sun was going down. Our hostel was easy to find, Fureai no Sato, which happened to be a group of small cabins. The absolute cheapest accommodation at only $15, but the best in my opinion! We had our own cabin complete with our own bathroom and shower and kitchen. Very cute! Also, once more, we were the only guests.

Ill add here that GPS is the best thing in the world! It sensed as soon as we got onto the on ramp that we were going onto the expressway, it changed the screen to tell us what and how far the next exit was, the next rest stops, the next petrol stations and even how much the toll would cost for each exit, it was amazing!

DAY 6
Our last day, we had a little sleep-in, jumped in the car and drove to our last stop, Mt. Ishizuchi. Ishizuchisan is the biggest mountain on Shikoku, standing at 1,990 metres. Its a popular spot in Autumn to climb and to see the red Autumn foliage which is stunning, though in the winter its closed to climbing as its extremely cold and dangerous, but of course, to make money, they turn it into a ski field.
So we went to have a look. We took a ropeway car up the first 800m which is open all year and provides stunning views of the Ishizuchi area. Once at the top you're at the ski field. Considering Katie and I are not the best skiers we walked around and watched the pros flying down the slopes at a million miles an hour and watched the 4 year old kids in ski school falling over. We made snow angels, threw some snowballs and attempted to make a snowman which didn't work coz the snow was pretty terrible. We had some hot rice and cocoa at the rest house before heading back down, in the car and drove back to Matsuyama. We had about 50 million bags of shopping so we decided to drop everything at our apartment, then take the car back. We got home and chilled out and gave some presents to the other girls thrilling them with our road trip tales!

On Thursday we decided to make a shopping trip over to Hiroshima, as its only 3 hours on the ferry and somewhat cheap. We spent a whole day shopping, eating (unfortunately meeting a group of completely obnoxious and loud American School Kids) and we also caught a movie. We saw the Departed. Oh now I have to ask you all.... in Hiroshima we discovered a new product in McDonalds.... THE MEGA MAC. Does this product exist in Australia? And has anyone died eating it?

For dinner I took Katie to Michan, a famous okonomiyaki restaurant, which was delicious, before retiring to our hostel. Friday morning we took a quick stroll through the peace park to pay our respects where were pounced upon by no less than FIVE... yes FIVE(!!!) Jahovas Witnesses!! Oh my god, we were like Go Away!! We continued shopping for another whole day and stood in the street when it started snowing!! ...before catching the ferry back in the evening and resting in my apartment.

The next day I returned to work and left Katie to explore the city more by herself. She did indeed, she shopped more and in fact had to buy another bag to take back home with all her shopping in it (he he).
We went out to dinner with the other teachers to Yakiniku and Okonomiyaki and also went back to Dogo Onsen and actually went in! For one of the most famous hot springs in Japan, I was disappointed. Its pretty small. Probably because its so old. Still, the pure water did its job and my skin felt fantastic! We treated ourselves to the Japanese haircut experience also... I don't think I can ever go back to Australian hairdressers.... the Japanese are just... so... good...

Then on Wednesday evening, Katie went home... and I was sad... though it was nice to have my bedroom back!! But we had a great time, and I cant wait for the next person to come visit me! So all of you out there, buy your tickets and come to Japan!! Its awesome here!! (Except come at the end of the year, coz I have no holiday time left till September!)

So anyway, I have a whole heap more I want to say, and a heap of photos to send, but it will have to wait until tomorrow coz ive kept you all at your screen long enough! SO stay tuned for more... and everyone take care over there in that heat!

Keep in touch everyone!!

Love Lesley
xxxxxoooooo